Caoilin Quinn and Mondo Man survived high drama at the final hurdle as class prevailed in the Betfair Imperial Cup at Sandown – but a Royal Ascot bid could be more likely than seeking a quickfire bonus at next week’s Cheltenham Festival.
A high-class recruit from the Flat having been fifth in the French Derby in 2024 before running behind Calandagan at that year's Royal meeting, Mondo Man has always been held in high regard, finishing not far behind Lulamba on his hurdling bow before running in the Adonis and Triumph Hurdle last term.
Gary and Josh Moore's five-year-old arrived at the Esher circuit as the 5-2 favourite after a confidence-boosting victory at Plumpton recently and quickly set about attempting to prove his class from the front.
It looked a plan set to be executed to perfection as Mondo Man headed to the last with a clear advantage - but it was there that Quinn almost exited through the side door after an untidy leap.
The rider was left to boot home Mondo Man without his irons as he held on from the fast-finishing Wreckless Eric, who was second for the second year running for Jonjo and AJ O'Neill.
Gary Moore said: "It was an amazing performance and I didn't really want to run because of the ground, the only reason he is running is because he has class.
"I was devastated when I saw he was having to make the running, it wasn't my plan, but it was Caoilin's and he stuck to it and it came off - he was very stylish after the last wasn't he!"
There is a £100,000 bonus on offer should the Imperial Cup winner follow up in any race at the Cheltenham Festival, with Paddy Power making Mondo Man 10-1 from 14s for his sole entry in Friday's William Hill County Hurdle.
However, Moore was non-committal about an appearance at Presbury Park, instead posing possibilities for the Flat later in the year.
Moore added: "I'll have to speak to the owners and it will depend how he comes out of the race as he has had a hard race today. It's tough to make all round here on heavy ground and come out fresh enough to go again next week.
"He was bought to run on the Flat as well and he met with an injury last season which is why he wasn't seen on the Flat after Chester, so there could be some nice options for him.
"I would like to see him run in the two-mile race at Royal Ascot (Ascot Stakes). He was bought to run in the Triumph Hurdle and then go to Royal Ascot and he's run in the Triumph now, just not very well."
Explaining the heart-stopping moment at the last, winning rider Quinn said: "I didn't look round and was just kicking forward, so I didn't know how far I was clear.
"It's tough conditions and I didn't want to go looking for a long one and do anything stupid so I just wanted to get in pop it and get out the other side.
"He went one way and I went the other! Luckily I stayed aboard him and he showed plenty of guts to keep galloping. He's showed now he is settling he has the attitude to knuckle down."
He added: "It wasn't too difficult to get him home after the last, it was kind of going back to my roots riding ponies round the fields, it's a brilliant day."
The Moores and Quinn quickly doubled-up when Ti'mamzel (8-1) notched a second Listed success of the season in the British Stallion Studs EBF Mares' Standard Open National Hunt Flat Race.
She will now head to Aintree's Grand National Festival to run in Grade Two company, with Josh Moore saying: "We ran her in a Listed race first time out as we knew she was good, she's always been very professional.
"The only concern today was she was giving everything 4lb in heavy ground, but she's a big strong mare. Aintree is the plan for her next and see how she gets on there."
